This is a new section whose goal is to allow readers to share their practices in terms of gear, technique and style. I thought it would be great to do it in the form of a weekly poll, with any further discussions taking place in the comments section. So let's start this week with a topic on gear : What is your main camera to shoot street photography ? (poll is now closed)
On my side, I am still a rangefinder shooter (Leica M) but the Leica X1 has been making a strong push to replace it lately.
Leica X1 at 36mm, F2.8, 1/250, ISO800
XPro1. Its great
I use mainly a Olympus OM-D EM5. I find it extremely fast for street shooting.
Surprisingly so, I find the 5D III + 40mm a very good combo for street photography. In fact it's the first reflex I really enjoy for that purpose.
"On my side, I am still a rangefinder shooter (Leica M) but the Leica X1 has been making a strong push to replace it lately."
Really? How so?
Well, I have been using it exclusively for the last three weeks. I am actually working on a series only with it. I like its size that allows me to carry it on a belt pouch. Image quality wise it is very close to the Leica M and you can use it in zone focus very easily. Anyways, I'll write a post entry about it in the coming weeks. Cheers/
D90+24mm f/2.8… but starting to feel it's too heavy to bring everywhere, every time.
Now saving some money to get a compact camera with external OVF — eyeing on a second hand GRD3.
Go for a used X1 ;)
600D
I was having this discussion with a number of street photographers on G+ a while back. If using a DSLR, especially if it has a battery grip, and looks bigger, to the general public, it can look 'pro' and people think you're supposed to be there, and doing your job.
I can stand in the middle of the street, and openly shoot. I get the occasional look, but no one has ever commented.
I would love a more discreet camera at some point, but for now, I'm more than happy :D
I think it depends on the country. A bigger camera in India and you have more people around you believing you work for the press. While in France, people will get more bothered if you shoot them with a big DSLR.
Leica M8 and 28mm elmarit
Nikon d7000 + DX35mm f/1.8
But I've just purchased a Sigma DP2 Merrill. Results have been fantastic, though a 44Mb raw files are a bit more than I imagined…
Yes, the huge files were one of my main complaint about the DP2M. Way to big for street photography in my opinion. Are you enjoying it though ?
I enjoy the camera immensely :) I think I'm still in the 'wow' phase looking at the images coming out of the camera. As a fine art camera, the details and tonal ranges are fantastic.
The camera really changed my street photography style. I am learning to better anticipate a scene. Having full manual focus overwrite during shutter half press helps with the focusing. The battery really is woeful only capable of capturing 80 or so images before depletion. And the screen, even with it 900k+ dot is sluggish.
But you know, all the little foils really make me appreciate a good shot more! Reminds me of when i first started photography, "I don't know how i got the shot, but I am damn pleased with it!"
Nikon's Rangefinders , Bessa's and Nikon's SLR's (F's, F3's and FG) whatever is loaded.
Fuji F11 and F30, Nikon's D2H, D700…
I know, too many options. Glad you did not ask for what lens ;)
Wish .. Fuji X10
Miguel, you are cheating here since you forgot to mention around 25 cameras …. ;)
Fuji X100 !!
Replacing a Pentax K20D (which I still use for some other purpose)
So lightweight, quiet and "cute" (people love the look)
Mainly been using a X100 for the last year, but recently picked up a Leica Digilux 2 on eBay and absoultely love it. Bumped into an M9 owner who thought my Leica was also an M9!
I wonder how this Leica M9 owner focuses his camera with such a poor sight ;)
That is called GAS, I know the feeling ;) If you do like to zone focus a lot, then the X2 is probably a better option. Otherwise I am not sure it is worth the switch at the current price.
It's worst than that : I'm a GAS Hypocondriac ;-) A X1 at $1000, I guess I would not have the choice but to take it…
My camera of choice for street is the Pentax k1000, and 50mm lens..
Tried shooting rangefinder, couldn’t get into it because of the focus system.
I use a Fujifilm X100.
http://www.jeffreyscott.ca/images/DSCF0332.jpg
X-Pro1 ^-^
I'm also interested in your comment regarding the X1.
I have been experimenting with the OM-D but while I like its size and I have some decent lenses, I don't like the colors I get from it (b&w images are fine). I'd thought of trying the Sony RX100 and the Leica X2 next but didn't think of the X1.
as mentioned above, I'll write a post about it in the future. I got my X1 brand new for $1000 on a store that was selling them off. At that price, it was a no brainer.
Wow, Do they do web sales?
Incidentally, the control you used for the survey does not work on an iPad.
The Lomo LC-A. Nothing can beat that baby.
Leica X1 as well, with external Voightlander 35mm OVF :-) Since the X1 is SO great for zone focusing, I could never look back to my trusty Nikon D300 + Nikkor 28mm 2.8… B&W contrast JPEGs are superb and also is IQ, plus usability is top notch on the Leica.
Fuji X 100
Olympus EM5 most of the time, and I always have a x10 in my everyday bag
Fuji X-100
Fuji x100 at the beginning of my trip. Now Henri, the Leica monochrom is just arrived but no time yet to play with it.
Thanks all for sharing. Quite a wide array of cameras used. I am surprised by the number of Fuji X100 though, well, actually I guess Fuji really hit a home run with it.
Leica M5 and M3.
A Canon Powershot s-590, now have added a new Canon Powershot 1200 with many more features and losing one's i liked! i use film cameras on occassion but prefer digital and the small camera ability to have almost unlimited depth of field. As Yanidel knows i don't like shallow depth of field, nor use of aspheric lenses.(Bokeh like broken glass).
My film cameras vary between RFDR, i.e. Leica-M or SLR with Canon, Nikon,Pentax or Minolta. Unlike users of Digital Leica, these film cameras were gifts or cost almost nothing! The Nikons were originally my pro outfit in 35mm.
Yes, often people want to switch to full frame without really understanding its effect on depth of field. If one likes extensive depth of fields, using a small sensor is often a better solution.
X100 and XPro 1
Sigma DP2 – still going strong, though may eventually succumbe to a Merrill upgrade. That said, like Shah, I'm put off by the DP2M file size and also the lack of LR support at the moment.
The lack of LR support is a complete show stopper for me. I don't get it.
M7, OM2N and OM4
i love my small insignificant point and shoots! nobody takes me seriously.. i print actual photos every so often! so i see real images! sure internet fun, but a small carry around box better than a tablet..
i love extended depth of field. it's not set in stone rule!
Use film cameras for real full frame, hi-rez scans, using Leica M3,ziggy, M6.pixie,and last week my Nikon F. 1971.
Photoshop mostly Picassa. easy, fun. trying a way to "Daguerotypes" yup! Tintype maybe more real name, all done PC. no way playing with mercury, nitric acid and death or maiming..
I did also notice that since I got the Leica X1, people seem to notice and care even less than with a Leica M. It is probably due to the fact that one does not always need to raise it to his eye to shoot.
As for using film cameras to shoot full frame, well, it is kind of odd to me to shoot film and and up with a scan to show on the internet, isn't it ? More seriously, digital is more convenient and gives more possibilities in post processing, especially color work.
Fuji X100 Black edition
Canon Powershot 1200, with the older Canon Powershot s-590. The latter no longer has flash, due to gravity tests and 70,000+images! My Leica M used at times but the hassle of film, color+lab requirements, with often poor results.B/W becoming very expensive and my scans suck..More dust than a Saharan Dust storm.
Primarily using Fuji x-pro 1 with a 24mm MC Rokkor Minolta lens (36mm equivalent) or the 18mm (27.5mm equivalent). For traveling even lighter, I sold my Fuji x100 and bought a Sony RX100…
I’d be interested to know how you like the Rx100 vs the X100? Especially since it does not have an electronic viewfinder. Image quality looks stunning to what I have seen!
Fuji X100 "Black"
Leica M8 + Cron 35/50
Well I did IT…a Tad Late to the Party
but snagged a very Pretty X1 for under a Grand… I think this will be the PURRfect companion for my M2
Only Time & Getting into the Experience will let me know…Thanks for the Push Yanidel…
Cheers – H
Great (and good deal) ! You will love it, it is perfect as complement to an M. It has some learning curve though, so be resilient ! Cheers.
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